“Saved by music” a whispered rumour. That’s what brought you here. Right before the Hanning Schru00f6der Plaque. This unassuming bronze memorial. It speaks volumes though. It tells a story of courage in the face of unimaginable evil. A story of a composer and his wife. Their lives interwoven with the dark threads of Nazi Germany. The plaque commemorates Hanning Schru00f6der and his wife Cornelia Schru00f6der-Auerbach. They are recognized as Righteous Among the Nations. This means they risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.
Hanning Schru00f6der was not just any composer. He was a violist. He played in orchestras for opera radio and film. He even formed a trio with his wife and another musician. They played Renaissance and Baroque music. They were pioneers using historical instruments. His talent shone brightly even under the Nazi regime. Yet his wife’s Jewish heritage posed a grave threat. In 1935 he was expelled from the Reich Chamber of Music. He faced a professional ban. Despite this Hanning continued to play. He performed with a special permit at the Theater am Nollendorfplatz.
But the plaque doesn’t solely represent his musical accomplishments. It is also a beacon of bravery. During World War II. Hanning and Cornelia hid a Jewish couple. Werner and Ilse Rewald found refuge in their Berlin home. They lived in fear. Their lives hung in the balance. They were concealed at Quermatenweg 148 in Steglitz-Zehlendorf. Imagine the tension. The constant fear of discovery. The weight of secrecy. It must have been unbearable. Yet the Schru00f6ders remained steadfast. They saved the Rewalds from certain death.
Hanning Schru00f6der’s bravery wasn’t acknowledged until after the war. Yad Vashem recognized him as Righteous Among the Nations in 1978. His hometown Rostock only honored him after German reunification. An exhibition at the Max-Samuel-Haus celebrated his life and work in 2017. This plaque. This humble memorial. It’s a testament to his enduring legacy. A legacy of musical brilliance and unwavering courage. A story etched in bronze for all to remember. His string quartet. Based on the song of the Moorsoldaten from the Bu00f6rgermoor concentration camp. It resonates even today. A poignant reminder of the horrors of the past and the extraordinary acts of humanity that defied them. Let us remember this quiet hero. His music echoes still. His actions resonate eternally. The Hanning Schru00f6der Plaque stands as a powerful symbol. It stands for hope. It stands for resilience. It stands for the enduring power of human compassion.